Trim Under Headlight 2003 Toyota Tacoma

When I bought this truck it was missing the trim piece under the driver side headlight. I finally ordered the piece and had it painted and put it in. After about a year, I noticed one day it was gone again. I have bought another one and need to know is there a trick to installing them? I have seen other 1st Gen Tacomas missing both trim pieces and it just drives me crazy that it is missing but don't want to keep buying the piece if its going to keep falling out.

 

They do seem to fit a bit insecurely. Mine have not fallen out yet. I guess what I might do is put a tab of silicone on the end and tab and slip it in.

 

I looked on ebay when I was looking for it. This was the 1st listing that I found but I've seen it cheaper.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FIT-525133...54038846183?fits=Model:Tacoma&redirect=mobile

 

When installing, just make sure you bend the tabs a bit to fit more securely. A dab of 3M adhesive might help keep them there...

 

If I remember correctly There are actually plastic locking tabs that hold the filler panel in place to the grill. These plastic tabs fail over time from age.

Just get new OEM locking tabs from the dealer and they will not fall off and get
OEM filler panels for a better fit. I think OEM are 20.00 each. I just bought new ones last week OEM.

 

I took mine off this weekend to remove the fender and found the plastic locking tabs. Good to know these can be ordered locally.

 

I run a bead of clear caulking across the top of mine and smooth it in with my finger so it is recessed back into the groove. You cant see it unless you are really looking for it.

 

zip ties!

This is literally how my whole grill is held on.

 

those don't come pre-painted do they?
had to get mine redone recently and paint it black ... lotta rock chips and touch-up paint over the years

 

If you have some color matched duplicolor spray paint, it's really easy for something so small. I'm even considering painting my grill black just so I don't have to match the color, lol...

 

Yes, like he said you can get a can of spray paint that will match your truck color and then put
clear bra film over the paint to deal with the rock chips on the filler panels

 

Yep, my 04 is missing the driver side too. I’ll put some adhesive on it when I install it. Thank you fo the trick

 

I purchased mine twice from Ebay and I do have the matching spray paint I use to paint them and it looks great but for them to fly off and me not even know, that is a waste of time and money. I tried to find the clips but so far no luck.

 

Same, my dude. zip ties, duct tape, and baling wire keep my truck from falling apart. Haha

 

If your grille is OE and those are aftermarket, that could be the issue. I had a ordered a grille off Amazon as well as eBay. My OE filler pieces did not like the aftermarket grille at all. Didn't want to snap in correctly.

If you want a perfect fit without all the hassle, drop the coin for OE.

 

I found a piece that looked like it came off an old appliance laying in our driveway last week and threw it away. A week later I notice it’s this piece of trim under my driver headlight. Oops.

 

sounds like something my brother-in-law would do while intoxicated & working on his vehicles

 

I been sober for 8 years and had no idea what it was or how it got there, lol.

 

When the first replacement came off I didn't know it for a few weeks and remembered riding down the road and something hit my side mirror and it sounded huge. Wasn't sure what it was but later noticed the piece was gone and tried to remember where I was when the thing hit my side mirror but of course never could remember. I was told if I take the whole front off and ziptie or put a pin in it, it should stay but have to take it all apart.

 

do these provide any structural support or protection? or are they purely for looks? thinking about removing mine